Honda CBR650R

Honda CBR650R Highlights

The Honda CBR650R will replace the now discontinued CBR650F in India. It gets several visual and mechanical improvements over the 650F. Take for instance the design, which is now reminiscent of the CBR1000R Fireblade superbike. The sportier and edgier styling is also befitting of the ‘R’ suffix that Honda has chosen for the bike. The racier design is complemented by a more aggressive riding position as well. Honda has achieved this by lowering the clip-ons and moving the footpegs slightly rearwards.

Mechanically, the CBR650R gets a more powerful engine than the CBR650F. The international-spec CBR650R’s 649cc inline four-cylinder engine produces 95PS, which is a full 8.4PS more than what the India-spec CBR650F offered. Honda has also replaced the CB650F’s previous Showa telescopic units with Showa Separate Function USD forks.

These mechanical, ergonomic and visual changes should make the CBR650R a livelier motorcycle to ride than the 650F. Like the latter, the 650R too is likely to be brought to India as CKD. At launch, expect Honda to price the CBR650R at around Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). At that price point, the bike will compete with motorcycles as varied as the Suzuki GSX-S750, Kawasaki Ninja 650, Kawasaki Z900 and the upcoming KTM 790 Duke.